Adding calcium/D3-how much is enough?

Tegster

Hello everyone,

Sorry if this has been discussed previously.

I don't have enough time to look through all of the previous posts.

I have no idea how much calcium/D3 powder should be added to Tegster's meals. I "sprinkle" it on ground turkey and fruit. I have a feeling I've been too conservative with it.

Tegster's lower jaw line (along the sides) seems to be rolling outward or sagging a little bit. Kind of makes him look like he has lips.

When I rub the side of his face I can feel the upper serrated ridge. I have no idea if this is normal.

Other than the funny look to his lower jaw, he appears in good health.

He walks tall, he climbs well, sheds well and eats well (when he eats).

He did slow down on eating the week before Christmas. He went from eating like a pig on a daily basis, to eating 2-3 times per week. I am still following the Rick Sisco diet given to us when we got him as a hatchling.

So here are my questions:

When Tegus slow down on eating, how do we insure they get enough calcium/D3? How do I know I'm not using too much or too little? What are symptoms of overdose?

Is the Sisco diet good for Tegus of all ages or does it change?

Should a lizard have lips?

Renee
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Renee

LisaN · Member Joined: Sep 03, 2007 Posts: 66

Hi Tegster,

Don't know how much calcium to give but I had the same problem with my male and the vet said it looked like mbd. I changed the UVA light and it made all the difference in the world. The mouth looked normal in 2 days. I did not increase the supplements.....but when he started to eat more he naturally got more of it. I think the weak light caused the problem for mine, though.

LisaN

Tegster · Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 7:37 pm Post subject:

Thanks LisaN. I'm going to replace his UVA/B bulb right now. The other one was brand new at the end of October. It may still be okay but I'll replace it anyway.

Tegster isn't basking as much as he used to so he isn't exposed to the light as often. He's not eating as often so he isn't getting the calcium/D3 either.

I wonder if he would rather be hibernating but we keep it too warm for him to do so. Hmmmmmm.......

I'll have to double check all the temps in his enclosure and see whats up.

Hmmmmmm..............

Renee
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Renee

meanah · Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 11:01 pm Post subject:

i had some of the same problem.. the whole soft jaw part.. i did a self check and from what i have read it was mbd.. so i have been giving mine the supplements often.. and shes getting a harder jaw and more movement in her arms.. her arms were almost dead. it was sad.. but shes up and running.. hopefully all works out for you.

Tegster · Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 10:59 am Post subject:

Thanks Meanah!

We offered Tegster a meal today. Something new - tilapia and pequino melon (some exotic fruit at Hannaford). I gave it a good dusting of cal/d3 powder and he chowed down.

After that we gave him a steamy sauna in the bathroom and a soak in the tub. He did a big pooh. So happy!

Now he is basking under his new lamp and I'm sure he'll be fine. I don't know if it's possible BUT he actually looks content.

We had stopped offering food more than three days per week because he had slowed down and we were throwing so much away. But something tells me he may be ready for more frequent meals.

So..."more meals" + "new light" should = healthy Tegster.

Whew!!! Now maybe I'll sleep tonight.
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Renee

txrepgirl · Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 3:13 pm Post subject:

What you can do to check if your Tegu gets enough calcium is squeeze the jaws really gently.If they feel hard you are good to go.If they feel soft and they give a little than you have to add more calcium.What you can do ( I don't know if you store does it or not ) bring your UVB light to the store and they can check if the UVB is still good.I got my Tegus at a reptile store ( not a regular pet store ) and they check the light for me.They have some thing there to measure it.A nother thing what you can do is keep a record on what lights you by and when.So you kind of know when it is time to get a new one or get it checked.If you feed him defrosted rodents they get calcium from that,too.Make sure they are all the way defrosted.The way I check it is I squeeze the body a little bit and see if it feels cold or still frozen.Some times I have to put it back in the warm water.Hope that helps.

meanah · Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 4:08 pm Post subject:

i make sure my mice are warm too. she had a full shed except for her tail. she is doing great. shes a pig she just doesnt like it when i put the powder on her food. i have to mix it in. shes a little alone i think. cause i havent been home much due to work... but i get to spend the whole weekend here so she'll like it

Tegster · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 12:09 pm Post subject:

Thanks again for the input!

I will give Tegster's jaws a gentle squeeze and see how they go next time he is awake.

Rick sent me an email when we first brought Tegster home. It included "the diet" and made mention that it IS possible to overdose on cal/d3. For some reason that stuck with me and I think I've been too conservative with it.

In the meantime, I think our biggest problem is with Tegster's habitat and light set up. He is fast outgrowing his tank and the lighting setup just isn't sufficient.

My husband and I spent hours this weekend surfing the web, this site, and drawing design ideas. We've looked at almost everyone's pics on here. We intend to start on a permanent habitat immediately.

Thanks again!

oh----we know that Tegster is in good health - yesterday while giving him a sauna (his tail shed is being very stubborn) he leaped from my husbands shoulder to my chest. Luckily we weren't standing too far away from each other.

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Renee

birdbrain · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 12:33 pm Post subject:

Angel's tail does not shed well ether

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lizard1:i see a meal,do you?
lizard2:yeah,a bird in the sky.
lizard1:i'll go get it.
lizard2:sure,but i get a bite.
lizard1:what ever.
lizard1:i can't get it...because i can't fly.
lizard2:bummer.

Chubbie & I + more.